At home on a "staycation"

I've been home all week on a "staycation" - a vacation week off from work, but with the emphasis on staying home during the time off. Ok, there was a brief 4 day getaway that began last week and carried on into the weekend, but as far as traveling indulgences go, that was about it for this week and the rest of the year for that matter. I'm using the week to take care of chores around the house, end of semester school work, and of course, taking a load off of my wife's shoulders in watching the kids during the day. Before gas prices went crazy and the U.S. Dollar lost most of its value against world currencies, my thoughts about vacation were always focused on "the next vacation", as in, "Where are we going next?" With belt-tightening the focus of most American families nowadays, the "staycation" is the place to be when it comes to thinking about "Where are we going next?"

Being home, which is seemingly hum-drum and routine simply because it's home, has it's appeal. There are plenty of things to do around the house, toys for my son to play with, things for dad to fix, a community pool to frequent, and a familiar bed and pillow that await at night. It may not be some far off locale, with exotic food to eat, but it is home. Even though the "staycation' may be the vacation spot of choice this year for our family (and many other families I'm sure), I can always dream of the far and distant locations that would be fun to travel to and visit someday. After all, the places I'd like to visit someday aren't going anywhere, at least not anytime soon, so staying at home on a "staycation" isn't so bad, and I can dream of where we'll be going someday.